There are so many aspects that cause poor harvest. Choosing the right feed is important but there are also factors to consider that influences their performance. With this, we have to carefully monitor the factors that can lead us to better yield in harvest.

Right Breed

According to the study 30% of success in pig production depends on the genetic potential of a pig. The most recommended and widely used breed in pig production is the F1 sow, a crossbreed of two distinct pure breed such, e.g landrace and yorkshire. Its ability to produce a high number of litters, easy-to-grow piglets, and with minimal feed consumption are its best characteristics making it very popular among hog growers. On the other hand, the mating of two closely related pigs is not recommended by expert since it often produced a poor quality litter and sometimes the offspring are manifest with physical abnormalities. Therefore, it is ideal to find a terminal boar to obtain high genetic variability as good potential for acquiring good quality traits. Ideally, a boar whose testicles are equal size and already tested for fertility are best recommended.

F1 sow breeder, very popular in producing high quality piglets

Right Choice of Feed

Feed consumption corresponds to 60 to 80 percent of the total expenses in pig production if pure commercial feeds are used in feeding. It will be a waste if not all of it are consumed by pigs. So how do we make sure that all of it is eaten. First thing to consider is the feed presentation; especially recommended is that in pelletized form. Studies have shown that feeds in pellet form have high feed density, no separation of ingredient, easily digested and help in improving growth performance. Second is the manner of feeding; whether it be dry, wet, or in liquid form. Currently, all commercial feed brands in the market can be given dry or wet but not so common as liquid form. In dry and wet feeding, the practice is very basic where the former is given in typical dry feed or wet while liquid feed is fermented by soaking the feeds in water at certain ratio, before being fed to the pigs.

Choosing of what types of feeding procedure to use have great effect on the health and growth performance of the pig. In liquid feeding for example, loos of feed particles or feed dust during handling and feeding is very minimal in comparison to dry and wet feeding where the feeds is given by tossing it to feeding trough where feed wastage is inevitable. More so, the feed nutrients in liquid form are easily absorbed since they are in pre-digested state during the fermentation process. This will result in an increase in the enzymatic activities in the gut, balanced ph level, reduction of pathogenic microorganisms while promoting the beneficial one. To date, there is no other feed brand in the market other than FEEDPRO that can be fermented. Preparation can be done by soaking 1:3 ratio of feed to water for 10-12 hours or overnight prior to feeding.

The Feedpro natural hog feed pellets products display

Housing Materials

In whatever scale of operation, pig houses should be constructed properly in order to secure maximum performance of the pigs. A good pen may not improve the health performance of the pigs but a poor one can certainly increase the disease problem easily. The geographical is an important in deciding what materials will be used. If the location is prone to strong wind and cyclone, it is best to use materials that can withstand the possible intensity. For small to medium piggery operation, any locally available materials can be use like bamboo, nipa or anahaw. Also, highly lignified materials like rice hull or saw dust can be used as substitute for cement as flooring. As much as possible, avoid a flood prone area

Provide a pen with proper amminities like feeding trough, auto drinker and wallowing pond. This can save time and effort in cleaning as well as expenses in water. If Baboyang Walang Amoy pen is to be used, allot a 1.5 to 2 square meter space per pig. The wallowing pond should be one meter in width and the length is proportion to the longer side of the pen. The feeding trough is 6 to 8 inches wide and must also be the same length as the longer side of the pen opposite to the wallowing pond. Auto drinker must be installed on the wallowing pond.

In large operation, provide a farrowing stall for the sow to prevent crushing of piglets. Heat lamps or electric brooder are needed for survival of the new born piglets. If lamps are not available, any improvised box line with sacks or straw bedding can keep the piglets warm.

An improvised brooder box line with straw bedding

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